Note The Cisco Unified IP Phone displays the date and time from Cisco Unified CM. If the Cisco Unified CM server is located in a different time zone than the phones, the phones will not display the correct local time.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager Configuration

The Cisco Unified IP Phone requires Cisco Unified CM to handle call processing. Refer to Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration Guide or to context-sensitive help in the Cisco Unified Communications Manager application to ensure that Cisco Unified CM is set up properly to manage the phone and to properly route and process calls.

If you plan to use auto-registration, verify that it is enabled and properly configured in Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration before connecting any Cisco Unified IP Phone to the network. For information about enabling and configuring auto-registration, refer to Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration Guide. Also, see the "Adding Phones to the Cisco Unified CM Database" section.

Use the PC access port to connect a network device, such as a computer, to the phone. You must use a straight-through cable on this port.

Handset

The handset is designed especially for use with a Cisco Unified IP Phone. It includes a light strip that indicates incoming calls and voice messages waiting.

To connect a handset to the Cisco Unified IP Phone, plug the cable into the handset and the Handset port on the back of the phone.

Speakerphone

By default, the speakerphone is enabled on the Cisco Unified IP Phone.

You can disable the speakerphone by using Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration. To do so, choose Device > Phone and locate the phone you want to modify. In the Phone Configuration window for the phone, check the Disable Speakerphone check box.

Headset

Although Cisco Systems performs internal testing of third-party headsets for use with the Cisco Unified IP Phones, Cisco Systems does not certify or support products from headset or handset vendors.

Cisco recommends the use of good quality external devices, for example, headsets that are screened against unwanted radio frequency (RF) and audio frequency (AF) signals. Depending on the quality of headsets and their proximity to other devices such as cell phones and two-way radios, some audio noise or echo may still occur. An audible hum or buzz may be heard by either the remote party or by both the remote party and the Cisco Unified IP Phone user. Humming or buzzing sounds can be caused by a range of outside sources; for example, electric lights, electric motors, or large PC monitors.See the "Using External Devices" section for more information.

Note In some cases, hum may be reduced or eliminated by using a local power cube or power injector.

These environmental and hardware inconsistencies in the locations where Cisco Unified IP Phones are deployed means that there is not a single headset solution that is optimal for all environments.

Cisco recommends that customers test headsets in their intended environment to determine performance before making a purchasing decision and deploying en masse.

Audio Quality Subjective to the User

Beyond the physical, mechanical and technical performance, the audio portion of a headset must sound good to the user and to the party on the far end. Sound quality is subjective and Cisco cannot guarantee the performance of any headsets. However, a variety of headsets from leading headset manufacturers have been reported to perform well with Cisco Unified IP Phones.

Connecting a Headset

To connect a wired headset to the Cisco Unified IP Phone, plug it into the Headset port on the back of the phone. Press the Headsetbutton on the phone to place and answer calls using the headset.

You can use the wired headset with all of the features on the Cisco Unified IP Phone, including the Volume and Mute buttons. Use these buttons to adjust the ear piece volume and to mute the speech path from the headset microphone.

Disabling a Headset

You can disable the headset by using Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration. If you do so, you also will disable the speakerphone.

To disable the headset from Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration, choose Device > Phone and locate the phone that you want to modify. In the Phone Configuration window for the phone, check the Disable Speakerphone and Headset check box.

Using External Devices

The following information applies when you use external devices with the Cisco Unified IP Phone:

Cisco recommends the use of good quality external devices that are shielded (screened) against unwanted radio frequency (RF) and audio frequency (AF) signals.

Depending on the quality of these devices and their proximity to other devices such as mobile phones or two-way radios, some audio noise may still occur. In these cases, Cisco recommends that you take one or more of the following actions:

•Move the external device away from the source of the RF or AF signals.

•Route the external device cables away from the source of the RF or AF signals.

•Use shielded cables for the external device, or use cables with a better shield and connector.

•Shorten the length of the external device cable.

•Apply ferrites or other such devices on the cables for the external device.

Cisco cannot guarantee the performance of the system because Cisco has no control over the quality of external devices, cables, and connectors. The system will perform adequately when suitable devices are attached using good quality cables and connectors.

Caution In European Union countries, use only external headsets that are fully compliant with the EMC Directive [89/336/EC].

Installing the Cisco Unified IP Phone

You must connect the Cisco Unified IP Phone to the network and to a power source before using it. See Figure 3-1 shows the connections for Cisco Unified IP phones 8941and 8945.

Note Before you install a phone, even if it is new, upgrade the phone to the current firmware image. Before using external devices, read the "Using External Devices" section for safety and performance information.

To install a Cisco Unified IP Phone, perform the tasks described in Table 3-1.

Reducing Power Consumption on the Phone

You can reduce the amount of energy that the Cisco Unified IP Phone 8941 and 8945 consumes by scheduling when the phone goes into power save mode. In power save mode, the backlight on the screen is not lit when the phone is not in use. The phone remains in power save mode for the scheduled duration or until the user lifts the handset or presses any button. In the Phone Configuration window on Cisco Unified Communications Administration, configure the following parameters.

•Days Backlight Not Active—Specify the days that the backlight remains inactive.

•Backlight on Time—Schedule the time of day that the backlight automatically activates. on the days listed in the off schedule.

•Backlight on Duration—Indicates the length of time that the backlight is active once the backlight is enabled by the programmed schedule

•Backlight Idle Timeout—Defines the period of user inactivity on the phone before the backlight is turned off.

Footstand

If your phone is placed on a table or desk, the footstand can be connected to the back of the phone for a higher or lower viewing angle, depending on your preference.

Figure 3-2 shows the footstand and the alignment of the tabs on the footstand with the two different sets of holes on the Cisco Unified IP phones 8941 and 8945.

Note The 8945 IP Phone cannot be wall-mounted due to the angle of the phone.

Figure 3-2 Cisco Unified IP Phone 8941 and 8945

1

Footstand slots for a higher viewing angle

2

Footstand slots for a lower viewing angle

Higher Viewing Angle

Lower Viewing Angle

Verifying the Phone Startup Process

After the Cisco Unified IP Phone has power connected to it, the phone begins its startup diagnostic process by cycling through the following steps.

1. The following LED buttons flash on and off during the various stages of bootup as the phone checks its hardware. See Table 3-2 for a list of the hardware test and the LED diagnostic status.

Configuring Security on the Cisco Unified IP Phone

The security features protect against several threats, including threats to the identity of the phone and to data. These features establish and maintain secure communication streams between the phone and the Cisco Unified Communications Manager server, and digitally sign files before they are delivered.

Note You can control access to the Administrator Settings Menu by using the Settings Access field in the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration Phone Configuration window. For more information, see the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration Guide.

The phone begins to install, update, or remove the LSC, depending on how the CAPF was configured. During the procedure, a series of messages appears in the LSC option field in the Security Configuration menu, so you can monitor progress.

You can verify that an LSC is installed on the phone by choosing Administrator Settings > Security Setup and ensuring that the LSC setting shows Installed.